Issues and opportunities for dual vocational education in the secondary schools of Bulgaria, Germany and Austria – a comparative analysis

This paper presents a description and comparison of the dual vocational education systems in high schools in Bulgaria and selected European countries. Although dual vocational education and training (dVET) is among the priorities of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Bulgaria until 2030, there are few in-depth studies or statistical data available on the system, as well as its advantages and disadvantages. The aim of this study is to compare Bulgaria’s dVET system with those of the most developed countries in this area—Germany and Austria, to highlight their strengths and problematic areas, and to provide an answer as to where Bulgaria’s efforts should be concentrated. The methodology used is two-phased: an analysis of secondary data/archival research (using legislative documents, government websites, studies from national and international organizations and academic publications) followed by the collection of primary data through personal interviews with principals and vice-principals of dVET high schools in the Plovdiv region, Bulgaria. The research reveals that while the systems have similarities, there are also significant differences that show the need for betterment in Bulgaria. The conducted interviews highlight the challenges faced by schools in finding partner companies and the need for additional incentives on the national level to promote work-based learning. The dual education in Bulgaria is at a relatively early stage of development, and despite its success, there is room for improvement. Empirical evidence is needed regarding the effects of implementing this educational method and the impact of the brand image of vocational high schools on the behavior of stakeholders (students, teachers, administrators of schools, employers providing internships for students, and government experts).